A system and method are disclosed that enable an email service provider to implement an email forwarding service without losing associated page views. In one embodiment, rather than forwarding the entire email message, the email forwarding service generates a summary email message, and sends this summary email message to the forwarding email address pre-specified by the subscriber. This summary email message includes a link that is selectable by the user to view the original email message on a web site of the email service provider. Thus, even if the forwarding email address is hosted externally, the subscriber still views the full email message on a web site of the provider of the email forwarding service.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method of forwarding email messages, the method comprising the following operations performed by one or more processors: accessing a first email message addressed to a first email address of a user, the first email message containing message content; generating a second email message based on the first email message, the second email message: lacking a first portion of the message content of the first email message; including a second portion of the message content of the first email message; and including information identifying the first email message; transmitting, electronically over a communications network, the second email message to a second email address of the user that is different from the first email address; receiving, from a user device, a request to access the first email message, the request including the identifying information; and in response to the request, transmitting the first email message to the user device along with electronic media content.
A method for forwarding emails involves a server accessing an original email sent to a user's primary email address. The server then creates a summary email that omits part of the original email's content but includes a different portion of the content, along with unique identification data related to the original email. This summary email is sent to the user's secondary email address. When the user clicks a link (or takes another action) in the summary email, their device sends a request to the server using the included ID. The server responds by sending the complete original email along with related media content (such as images or attachments that are served alongside the email) to the user's device for viewing.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first email message and the electronic media content is served from a web-based email service.
The email forwarding method, as described in the previous claim, is performed using a web-based email service. The original email and associated electronic media content are hosted and served from the email provider's web servers. When the user requests to view the original email from the summary email, they are directed to the email provider's website to see the full message and any related media.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: prompting the user for input of a user login prior to transmitting the first email message with the electronic media content.
In addition to the email forwarding method described previously, before the original email and electronic media content are transmitted to the user's device, the user is prompted to enter their login credentials (username and password). This step adds a layer of security, ensuring that only the intended recipient can access the full email content, even if someone intercepts the summary email or the link within it.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second e-mail message does not allow the user to respond to a sender of the first email message by replying from the second email message.
In the email forwarding method, the summary email does not allow the user to directly reply to the original sender of the email. The summary email intentionally lacks the necessary information or functionality (e.g., a "reply-to" header) to enable a direct reply from the secondary email address. Instead, the user must access the original email to reply.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user is allowed to reply to a sender of the first email message from the second email message.
The email forwarding method allows the user to reply to the original sender of the email from the summary email. The summary email does contain the necessary information or functionality (e.g., a "reply-to" header) to enable a direct reply from the secondary email address.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second email message includes a link that is selectable to change email settings.
The summary email generated in the email forwarding method includes a clickable link that allows the user to change their email settings, such as forwarding preferences, filters, or other account configurations. This link redirects the user to the settings page of the email service provider.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second email message includes a link that is selectable to delete the first email.
The summary email generated in the email forwarding method contains a link that, when clicked, allows the user to delete the original email from the server. This provides a convenient way for the user to manage their inbox and remove unwanted messages directly from the summary email.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifying information includes a URL for serving the first email message along with the electronic media content.
The identifying information included in the summary email, which is used to retrieve the original email, is a URL. This URL specifically points to the location on the email service provider's server where the original email and associated electronic media content are stored and can be accessed.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifying information includes information to inhibit unauthorized access to the first email message.
The identifying information included in the summary email, which is used to retrieve the original email, includes specific data designed to prevent unauthorized access to the original email. This could include encryption, access control lists, or other security measures that ensure only the intended recipient can view the full email content.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of an email address, a token, and a timestamp are encoded in the identifying information.
The identifying information in the summary email, used to retrieve the original email, encodes at least one of the following: the recipient's email address, a unique security token, or a timestamp. This information may be combined or used individually to verify the user's identity and prevent unauthorized access to the original email.
11. A system for forwarding e-mail messages, the system comprising: a memory system that stores instructions; and at least one processor that, when executing the instructions stored in the memory system, is configured to: access a first email message addressed to a first email address of a user, the first email message containing message content; generate a second email message based on the first email message, the second email message: lacking a first portion of the message content of the first email message; including a second portion of the message content of the first email message; and including information identifying the first email message; transmit, electronically over a communications network, the second email message to a second email address of the user that is different than the first email address; receive, from a user device, a request to access the first email message, the request including the identifying information; and in response to the request, transmit the first email message to the user device along with electronic media content.
A system for forwarding emails has a memory to store program instructions and a processor. When executing the instructions, the processor accesses an original email sent to a user's primary email address. The processor creates a summary email that omits part of the original email's content, but includes a different portion of content and unique identification data related to the original email. This summary email is sent to the user's secondary email address. When the user clicks a link (or takes another action) in the summary email, their device sends a request to the system using the included ID. The processor responds by sending the complete original email along with related media content (such as images or attachments that are served alongside the email) to the user's device for viewing.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first email message and the electronic media content is served from a web-based email service.
The email forwarding system, as described in the previous claim, is implemented as part of a web-based email service. The original email and associated electronic media content are hosted and served from the email provider's web servers. When the user requests to view the original email from the summary email, they are directed to the email provider's website to see the full message and any related media.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one processor, when executing the instructions, is further configured to: prompt the user for input of a user login prior to transmitting the first email message with the electronic media content.
In addition to the email forwarding system described previously, the processor is further configured to prompt the user to enter their login credentials (username and password) before transmitting the original email and electronic media content to the user's device. This step adds a layer of security, ensuring that only the intended recipient can access the full email content.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second e-mail message does not allow the user to respond to a sender of the first email message by replying from the second email message.
In the email forwarding system, the summary email does not allow the user to directly reply to the original sender of the email. The summary email intentionally lacks the necessary information or functionality (e.g., a "reply-to" header) to enable a direct reply from the secondary email address.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the user is allowed to reply to a sender of the first email message from the second email message.
In the email forwarding system, the summary email does allow the user to reply to the original sender of the email. The summary email does contain the necessary information or functionality (e.g., a "reply-to" header) to enable a direct reply from the secondary email address.
16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second email message includes a link that is selectable to change email settings.
The summary email generated by the email forwarding system includes a clickable link that allows the user to change their email settings, such as forwarding preferences, filters, or other account configurations. This link redirects the user to the settings page of the email service provider.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second email message includes a link that is selectable to delete the first email.
The system from the previous claim, the second email message includes a link that is selectable to delete the first email. (Note: This refers back to claim 11) The summary email generated in the email forwarding method contains a link that, when clicked, allows the user to delete the original email from the server. This provides a convenient way for the user to manage their inbox and remove unwanted messages directly from the summary email.
18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the identifying information includes a URL for serving the first email message along with the electronic media content.
The identifying information included in the summary email, used by the email forwarding system to retrieve the original email, is a URL. This URL specifically points to the location on the email service provider's server where the original email and associated electronic media content are stored and can be accessed.
19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the identifying information includes information to inhibit unauthorized access to the first email message.
The identifying information included in the summary email, used by the email forwarding system to retrieve the original email, includes specific data designed to prevent unauthorized access to the original email. This could include encryption, access control lists, or other security measures that ensure only the intended recipient can view the full email content.
20. The system of claim 11 , wherein at least one of an email address, a token, and a timestamp are encoded in the identifying information.
The identifying information in the summary email, used by the email forwarding system to retrieve the original email, encodes at least one of the following: the recipient's email address, a unique security token, or a timestamp. This information may be combined or used individually to verify the user's identity and prevent unauthorized access to the original email.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
June 22, 2015
July 18, 2017
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